Discussants in the seminar organized by Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon on the occasion of Sheikh Russel Day 2023 on Wednesday made a clarion call on the national governments and the international community to ensure the rights of the children and safe childhood for them.
The speakers expostulate the brutal killing of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members on 15 August 1975.
Particularly they mentioned the killing of Sheikh Russel, a 10-year-old child, as one of the worst signs of violation of children's rights.
Nadia Khoury, Head of Delegation, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) in Myanmar was present at the seminar as the main discussant.
Among others, Brig Gen Md Aftab Hossain, Defence Advisor at the Embassy, Shihab Uddin Ahamad, Country Director of WaterAid, Myanmar, Dr Syeda Afsana Amin, Public Health Expert, and Probir Ranjan Bijan Bishi, Child Rights Activists participated as speakers.
They discussed various thematic issues chalked out for the seminar.
Bangladesh Ambassador Dr Md Monwar Hossain chaired and moderated the seminar attended by the representatives of international organizations, officers and officials of the Embassy and members of the Bangladesh community in Myanmar.
The ambassador in his speech paid deep tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his martyred family members, 30 lac martyrs of the liberation war and all the freedom fighters of the liberation war of Bangladesh.
Referring to various articles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Ambassador explained the necessity of implementing rights of the children.
He stressed that the killing of Sheikh Russel is a “severe violation” of human rights.
While mentioning the immense potential of Sheikh Russel by highlighting his strong will to serve the cause of humanity, ambassador added that if Russel would have lived today, he would be a fine leader to realize the dream of Golden Bengal envisioned by Bangabandhu.
He expressed his hope that the children of this age will show Bangladesh a brighter way upholding the humanitarian attitude and simplicity of Sheikh Russel.
While highlighting the development trajectory of Bangladesh under the able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Ambassador expressed his firm conviction that Bangladesh will reach her goal to become a developed country by 2041.
Organized at the Chancery premises, the program included events, namely, laying of floral wreath before the portrait of Sheikh Russel, reading out of messages of the President and the Prime Minister, screening of documentary on the life of Sheikh Russel.
Special prayers were offered for the salvation of the departed souls of the martyrs who were brutally killed on 15 August 1975.
Prize and certificates were given away among the children taking part in the Art Competition organized on this occasion.
At the end of the program the Ambassador, along with the kids, cut a cake on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sheikh Russel.
